Pipe sling

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improved pipe sling having spaced end members, fabric material belts extending between and fastened to the end members, and fabric material fastened to the belts to maintain the belts in substantially their preselected relationship to each other. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

United States Patent I 91 Foster et al,

v 1 Oct. 8, 1974 I [56] References'Cited [5 1 PIPE SLING [75] Inventors:Robert D. Foster; Leonard W. Scott,

Jr., both of Houston, Tex.

[73], Assignee:v CRC-Crose International, Inc.,

Houston, Tex. 221 Filed: May 22, 1972 [21] App1.No.: 255,578

Related U.S. ApplicationData '[63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.146,524, May 24,

1971, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 864,717,

Oct. 8, 1969, abandoned.

52 us. C1. 294/74 [51] Int Cl B66c1/18 [581 Field of Search 294/67 E,.57 EA, 74,75, 294/7 77 UNITED'STATES PATENTS 2,598,921 6/1952Knudsen... 294/74 Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk AssistantExaminer-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm-W. Ronald Robins; JoeE.

Edwards; Jack R. Springga te [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to animproved pipe sling having spaced end members, fabric material beltsextending between and fastened to the end members, and fabric materialfastened to'the belts to maintain the belts in substantially their.preselected relationship to each other. Thisabstract is neither intendedto define the invention of the application which, of course, is measuredby the-claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as 7 to the scope of:the invention in any way.

' 12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUBT 819M 3.840.262

' mums ROBERT D; Fos TEE LEONARD W. Sco JR.

INVEN 5.

PIPE SLING BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART This application is acontinuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 146,524 which-isa continuation of application Ser. No. 864,717, now abandoned.

Pipe slings, as heretofore known to the art, were two general types:Those employing wire rope, cables or metallic elements as load-bearingmembers, as shown in the Pat. to Meisen, No. 2,960,365 issued Nov. 15,1960; and those employing fabric belts or straps as load-bearingmembers, as shown in the Pat. to Norton, No. 3,290,083 issued Dec. 6,1966, and to Sutton, No. 3,425,737 issued Feb. 4, 1969.

Where it is desired to employ the fabric belt type of sling, it has beenfound that said fabric belts are subject to abrasion by contact withpipes and other surfaces and also suffer from exposure to the sun andelements. Therefore, as in Sutton, it was found necessary to encase thebelts, as well as the metal end members of the sling in protectivesheaths such as polyurethaneimpregnated cover. The cover, enclosing bothbelts and end members, adds substantially to the 'weight and cost of thesling, especially in the sizes needed to accommodate pipes of largediameter.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide animproved pipe sling which employs fabric or lightweight loadbearingmembers and which is so constructed that it is lighter in weight thanthose previously known in the art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pipesling which combines a plurality of lightweight nylon belts having aprotective material impregnated therein with a spacer sheet of fabricmaterial secured to the belts to form a unitary structure whereby aminimum amount of material is required to manufacture said sling.

A further object is to provide an improved pipe sling wherein the sheetmaterial which maintains the loadbearing belts in spaced position issecured to' said belts, but terminates short of the end members of thesling; said sheet material functioning to produce a unitary structurewhich facilitates handling of the sling.

A further object is to provide such a sling wherein a plurality of loadbearing belts are disposed in substantially parallel and abuttingrelationship'and are joined by straps of fabric material disposedlongitudinally of the belts.

Another object is to provide such a sling wherein the load bearing beltsare of double thickness and the fabric sheet or straps joining thebeltsare protected from abrasion by being disposed between the twolayers of load bearing belts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantagesof the present invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of an embodiment of the present invention which is describedand explained in conjunction with members, the fabric belts, and showingthe spacer sheet in solid and broken lines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pipe sling of FIG. I connected to anoverhead pipe-handling apparatus and being used to lift a pipe section.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show alternate forms of the sling end members.

FIG. 6 is primarily a plan view with a portion shown in section, of analternate form of the pipe sling of the present invention, wherein theload-bearing belts are in spaced parallel relationship.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another alternate form of the pipe sling of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternate form of the pipe sling wherein thespacer sheet is replaced by two longitudinal straps of fabric each ofwhich straps connects two adjacent belts to provide a unitary structure.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 and showingthe connecting strap of material disposed between the two layers of theload supporting belts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate thepreferred embodiment of the sling. It consists basically of a pair ofspaced end members 10 and 10a joined by a'plurality of fabric belts 11,with a sheet of fabric material 12 attached to the belts to hold them inproper spaced relationship.

The end member 10 is preferably formed of metal and is basicallyrectangular in shape. Disposed longitudinally and in alignment along oneside of the end member are a plurality of circular openings 13 suitablefor receiving the hooks of a lifting device. Located along the otherside and also disposed longitudinally, but offset in differentlongitudinal planes, are a plurality of slots 14. The second end member10a is spaced from and is a duplicate of the end member 10, and isprovided with circular openings 13a and longitudinally disposed slots14a.

Attached to and extending between the spaced end members 10 and 10a arethe load-bearing belts 11. These belts are formed from straps of somestrong, lightweight fabric, preferably'nylon, which has been treatedwith an abrasion-resistant material, such as polyurethane, in order toincrease its abrasion resistance and overall durability.

The preferred method for attaching the individual belts to the endmembers is shown in FIG. 2. One end of a strap from which the belt isformed is passed through one of the slots 14 in end member 10, with ashort piece of fabric material 15 being interposed between the endmember and the strap to reduce wear on the strap. Otherabrasion-resistant material such as leather may be used in lieu offabric for piece 15. The opposite end 11b of the strap is passed throughthe corresponding slot in end member 10a, again with a piece of fabric15a being placed to reduce wear on the strap from contact with the metalend member. The two ends 11a and 11b are then brought together inoverlapping relationship so as to form the strap into an endless loop.Heavy stitching 16 is used to bind the ends securely toget her.

Forming-the strap into an endless loop as described produces a beltofdouble thickness for extra strength,

and is our preferred embodiment. However, it is obvious that a belt ofsingle thickness, if desired, may be formed merely by using a shorterstrap, passing one end through a slot 14 in end member 10, passing theother end through the corresponding slot in end member a, folding theends up against the strap body, and securely stitching them in place.

By offsetting or staggering the slots 14 and 14a, it is possible tolocate the longitudinal edges of the belts '11 in abutting relationshipwithout weakening the end members. With such an arrangement, the beltspresent a substantially uninterrupted surface for engagement with thepipe.

In order to keep the individual belts 11 properly .spaced and alignedfor equal load distribution, as well as to provide a unitary assemblyfor ease of handling, a sheet of suitable fabric material 12 is placedtransversely of the belts, and each belt is attached to it. In ourpreferred form as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet 12 is inserted or confinedbetween the upper and lower runs of the belt loops, extendingapproximately the full width of the combined belts and approximately thefull length of the belts between the end members; terminating, however,short of the end members 10 and 10a. The sheet 12 may be attached to thebelts by stitching 17 which extends around the perimeter of the sheetand down the center of each belt. As shown in FIG. 2, the stitching 17extends through both the upper and lower runs of each belt 11, as wellas the sheet 12, to bind the belts and sheet into a unitary assembly.

The use of the pipe sling is illustrated in FIG. 3. One end of the pipesling is attached by means of the circular openings 13 in the end member10 to the hooks (not shown) ofa pipe-lifting device A. The other end ofthe sling is passed under the pipe P to be lifted and the end member 10ais then engaged, via circular openings 130, with hooks B on the oppositeside of the pipe-lifting device. The device A and the pipe sling andpipe may then be lifted and moved about by the cable C of a crane orother overhead device (not shown).

In the preferred form of our pipe sling as shown in FIG. 1, the lateralplacement of the slots 14 in the end members 10 and 10a produces a slingwherein the belts 11 are in abutting parallel relationship. However,this abutting relationship is not essential, and in FIG. 6, the belts111 are illustrated as spaced from each other. Each belt engages slots114 and 114a formed in the spaced end members 110 and 110a. A sheet 112of fabric material is stitched to the belts and maintains them in properspaced relationship; as noted, it also provides a unitary assembly whichfacilitates handling of the sling.

Although it is preferred to insert the sheet 12 or 112 between the upperand lower runs of each belt 11 or 111, it is not necessary to do so. Thesheet 12 or 112 may be attached to one side of the belts, preferably tothat side of the belt opposite that which engages the pipe. Since itsfunction is to maintain the belts in spaced relationship and to form aunitary assembly, the spacer sheet 12 or 112 may be secured between theruns of each belt loop or to either side of each belt. Also, while it isshown to use a single sheet 12 or 112 for connecting the belts, it isobvious that a plurality of fabric straps placed longitudinally,transversely or diagonally of the load bearing .belts and fastenedthereto would serve the same function of keeping the belts properlyspaced and aligned.

It is possible to form all of the load-bearing belts from a single,continuous strap 21] of fabric by looping the strap back and forthbetween the slots 214 and 214a of spaced end members 210 and 210a, asshown in FIG. 7. Using a strap of sufficient length, belts of double ortriple thickness may be produced by doubling the strap back across theentire route one or more times. In this form, a spacer sheet 212 issuitably stitched to all belts.

A modified form of end member 310 is illustrated in FIG. 5. The slots314 are offset or staggered in a manner similar to those shown in FIG.1, the only difference being that said slots 314 are of I differentlengths, whereby belts of different widths may be employed.

If it is desired that a single series of openings be formed in each endmember to function both as a means for attaching the belts to the endmembers and as means for attaching the pipe sling to the hooks of alifting device, then the end member 410 shown in FIG. 4 maybe used. Sucha member has a plurality of triangular-shaped openings 414 formedtherein; the inner or straight side 414a of each slot is engaged by abelt while the curved apex area 41411 is adapted to be engaged by thehooks B of a lifting device A.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown an alternate form of thepipe sling wherein the several loadbearing belts are interconnected bystraps of fabric disposed longitudinally of the belts and connectedthereto. The end members 510 are of slightly modified shape with thehook'receiving circular openings 513 being disposed on roughlysemi-circular projections 510a formed from the body of end member 510.The belt slots 514 are staggered longitudinally and transversely so thatthe load-bearing belts may be disposed in parallel abuttingrelationship, as explained above in connection with FIG. 1. Extendingbetween the two end members are three double-layered load-bearing belts511 disposed in parallel relationship with their edges abutting.Interconnecting the three load-bearing belts are two fabric materialstraps 512 disposed longitudinally of the load-bearing belts. As shownin FIG. 9, each of the fabric straps 512 is disposed between the twolayers of the load-bearing belts 511 along a line formed by the abuttinglongitudinal edges of two belts and is stitched to eachof said twoabutting belts 511 by stitching 517. The outer edges of the two outerbelts 517 are also stitchedat 517 to bind the two layers of the belttogether. The two straps of fabric 512 perform the same function as thelarger sheet of fabric material 12, shown in FIG. 1, of maintaining thebelts 511 in proper alignment and forming the entire pipe sling into aunitary body.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present inventionconstitutes an improved pipe sling wherein the load-bearing belts offabric material are treated for abrasionresistance, thereby eliminatingthe necessity for a protective sheathing for the belts. Since itrequires no sheating, the sling is lighter than previous pipe slings ofcomparable strength, requires less material to manufacture, and ischeaper and easier to manufacture. The sheet 12 being attached to all ofthe belts, functions to connect all belts into a unitary assembly whichassures ease of handling.

as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A pipe sling including a pair of metallic end members spaced fromeach other, each end member being of a generally rectangular shape andhaving a plurality of openings in longitudinal alignment, which openingsare adapted to coact with a lifting device,

a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts disposed in asubstantially parallel side-to-side relationship with their adjacentedges being in close spaced relationship, said belts extending betweensaid end members and being adapted to directly engage the exteriorsurface of a pipe supported by said sling,

said .belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material,

means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said end members;

a sheet of fabric material extending transversely and longitudinally ofthe belts, and of a size to locate its transverse edges short of thespaced end members,

said sheet being of relatively lightweight material whereby it adds aminimum of weight to said sling, and

means for fastening said sheet to each of said belts to maintain saidbelts substantially in their preselected relationship to each other soas to distribute the load among the belts,

said sheet being so positioned in relation to the loadbearing surfacesof said belts as to be protected by said belts against abrasion by saidpipe,

each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double layeredbelt including upper and .lower runs and said sheet of fabric materialbeing disposed between the two runs of each belt.

2. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein said means for attachingsaid belts to said end members comprise aligned longitudinal slotsspaced longitudinally of said end members.

3. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein,

said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise aplurality of longitudinal slots in said end members with alternate slotsbeing staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other.

4. A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein the means for attachingsaid end portions of said belts to said end members comprise a pluralityof triangularshaped openings which'openings are also adapted to coactwith a lifting-apparatus,

the base of said triangular-shaped openings being adapted to engage saidbelts and the apex to engage said lifting apparatus.

5. A pipe sling comprising:

a pair of metallic and members spaced from each other, each end memberhaving a plurality of openings adapted to coact with a lifting device,

a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts disposed in asubstantially parallel side-to-side relationship to each other withtheir longitudinal edges abutting or in close spaced relationship toeach other, said belts extending between said end members and beingadapted to directly engage the exterior surface'of a pipe supported bysaid sling,

said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material, A

means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said end members,

fabric material interconnecting said belts and of a size to locate itstransverse edges short of the spaced end members,

said fabric material being relatively lightweight whereby it adds aminimum of weight of said sling, and

means for fastening said material to said belts to maintain said beltssubstantially in their preselected relationship to each other so as todistribute the load among the belts,

said fabric material being so positioned in relation to the load-bearingsurfaces of said belts as to be protected by said belts against abrasionby said pipe,

each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double-layeredbelt including upperand lower runs and wherein said fabric materialbeing disposed between the two runs of each belt.

6. A pipe sling according to claim Swherein said fabric materialcomprises a strap of fabric 'material disposed longitudinally of saidbelts and fastened to at least two of saidv belts.

7. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said fabric materialcomprises a sheet extending transversely and longitudinally of saidbelts and fastened to each of said belts.

, 8. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said means for attachingsaid belts to said end members comprise aligned longitudinal slotsspaced longitudinally of said end members.

9. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein,

said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprise aplurality of longitudinal slots in said end members with alternate slots.being staggered transversely but not longitudinally of each other. 10.A pipe sling according to claim 9 wherein said fabric material comprisesa plurality of fabric straps disposed longitudinally of said belts, I

each of said straps being disposed along a line formed by the abuttinglongitudinal edges of two of said belts and partially underlying andfastened to each of said two belts.

11. A pipe sling according to claim.5 wherein the means for attachingsaid end portions of said belts to said end members comprise a pluralityof triangularshaped openings which openings are also adapted to coactwith a lifting apparatus,

the base of said triangular-shaped openings being adapted to engage saidbelts and the apex to engage said lifting apparatus.

12. A pipe sling comprising:

a pair of metallic end members spaced from each other, each memberhaving a plurality of openings in longitudinal alignment, which openingsare adapted to coact with a lifting device, and a plurality oflongitudinal slots, with alternate slots being staggered transverselybut not longitudinally of each other;

a plurality of load-bearing fabric ,material belts extending betweensaid end members and passing through said longitudinal slots,

each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double-layeredbelt including upper and lower runs,

said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistant material and adaptedto directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported by saidslings, and

said belts being disposed in a substantially parallel relationship toeach other with their longitudinal edges substantially abutting or inclose spaced relationship to each other; and

weight to said sling.

1. A pipe sling including a pair of metallic end members spaced fromeach other, each end member being of a generally rectangular shape andhaving a plurality of openings in longitudinal alignment, which openingsare adapted to coact with a lifting device, a plurality of load-bearingfabric material belts disposed in a substantially parallel side-to-siderelationship with their adjacent edges being in close spacedrelationship, said belts extending between said end members and beingadapted to directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported bysaid sling, said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistantmaterial, means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said endmembers, a sheet of fabric material extending transversely andlongitudinally of the belts, and of a size to locate its transverseedges short of the spaced end members, said sheet being of relativelylightweight material whereby it adds a minimum of weight to said sling,and means for fastening said sheet to each of said belts to maintainsaid belts substantially in their preselected relationship to each otherso aS to distribute the load among the belts, said sheet being sopositioned in relation to the load-bearing surfaces of said belts as tobe protected by said belts against abrasion by said pipe, each of saidbelts forming an endless loop to provide a double layered belt includingupper and lower runs and said sheet of fabric material being disposedbetween the two runs of each belt.
 2. A pipe sling according to claim 1wherein said means for attaching said belts to said end members comprisealigned longitudinal slots spaced longitudinally of said end members. 3.A pipe sling according to claim 1 wherein, said means for attaching saidbelts to said end members comprise a plurality of longitudinal slots insaid end members with alternate slots being staggered transversely butnot longitudinally of each other.
 4. A pipe sling according to claim 1wherein the means for attaching said end portions of said belts to saidend members comprise a plurality of triangular-shaped openings whichopenings are also adapted to coact with a lifting apparatus, the base ofsaid triangular-shaped openings being adapted to engage said belts andthe apex to engage said lifting apparatus.
 5. A pipe sling comprising: apair of metallic and members spaced from each other, each end memberhaving a plurality of openings adapted to coact with a lifting device, aplurality of load-bearing fabric material belts disposed in asubstantially parallel side-to-side relationship to each other withtheir longitudinal edges abutting or in close spaced relationship toeach other, said belts extending between said end members and beingadapted to directly engage the exterior surface of a pipe supported bysaid sling, said belts being treated with an abrasion-resistantmaterial, means for attaching the end portions of each belt to said endmembers, fabric material interconnecting said belts and of a size tolocate its transverse edges short of the spaced end members, said fabricmaterial being relatively lightweight whereby it adds a minimum ofweight of said sling, and means for fastening said material to saidbelts to maintain said belts substantially in their preselectedrelationship to each other so as to distribute the load among the belts,said fabric material being so positioned in relation to the load-bearingsurfaces of said belts as to be protected by said belts against abrasionby said pipe, each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide adouble-layered belt including upper and lower runs and wherein saidfabric material being disposed between the two runs of each belt.
 6. Apipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said fabric material comprises astrap of fabric material disposed longitudinally of said belts andfastened to at least two of said belts.
 7. A pipe sling according toclaim 5 wherein said fabric material comprises a sheet extendingtransversely and longitudinally of said belts and fastened to each ofsaid belts.
 8. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein said means forattaching said belts to said end members comprise aligned longitudinalslots spaced longitudinally of said end members.
 9. A pipe slingaccording to claim 5 wherein, said means for attaching said belts tosaid end members comprise a plurality of longitudinal slots in said endmembers with alternate slots being staggered transversely but notlongitudinally of each other.
 10. A pipe sling according to claim 9wherein said fabric material comprises a plurality of fabric strapsdisposed longitudinally of said belts, each of said straps beingdisposed along a line formed by the abutting longitudinal edges of twoof said belts and partially underlying and fastened to each of said twobelts.
 11. A pipe sling according to claim 5 wherein the means forattaching said end portions of said belts to said end members comprise aplurality of triangular-shaped openings which openings Are also adaptedto coact with a lifting apparatus, the base of said triangular-shapedopenings being adapted to engage said belts and the apex to engage saidlifting apparatus.
 12. A pipe sling comprising: a pair of metallic endmembers spaced from each other, each member having a plurality ofopenings in longitudinal alignment, which openings are adapted to coactwith a lifting device, and a plurality of longitudinal slots, withalternate slots being staggered transversely but not longitudinally ofeach other; a plurality of load-bearing fabric material belts extendingbetween said end members and passing through said longitudinal slots,each of said belts forming an endless loop to provide a double-layeredbelt including upper and lower runs, said belts being treated with anabrasion-resistant material and adapted to directly engage the exteriorsurface of a pipe supported by said slings, and said belts beingdisposed in a substantially parallel relationship to each other withtheir longitudinal edges substantially abutting or in close spacedrelationship to each other; and a plurality of fabric material strapsdisposed longitudinally of said belts between the upper and lower runsof said belts, each of said straps being disposed along a line formed bythe abutting longitudinal edges of two of said belts and partiallyunderlying and fastened to each of said two belts, said fabric materialstraps being of relatively lightweight material whereby they add aminimum of weight to said sling.